Six Nations: : Match referee Doocey recalls 1983 with fondness but Christchurch quake has put rugby into perspective

Petrol was 1.25 a gallon, the first mobile telephones had just been introduced to the public and breakfast television was debuting in our homes.

But back in 1983 there was a sporting milestone, too, which coincided with the last occasion Scotland's rugby team defeated England at Twickenham - a feat they are desperate to at long, long last repeat tomorrow.

From the southern hemisphere came the first referee, Tom Doocey, to participate in a Five Nations fixture (as it then was) and the very mention of a New Zealander from the earthquake hit city of Christchurch should be sufficient to put even a red-hot rivalry like Scotland versus England into a sharper perspective. Speaking exclusively to the Evening News from his home in Christchurch, Mr Doocey, now 68, recalled his experiences as Scotland clinched a 22-12 win with a late try - and also spoke of how rugby was giving Christchurch a positive focus in recovering from tragic loss of life and devastation.

"It was an honour to be the pioneer from the southern hemisphere to partake in a world renowned championship each year. It was not the norm and there was a period where southern hemisphere referees did not have access to Test matches for a variety of reasons.

"The game was very similar to the style I was used to, although in those days the game was probably more forward orientated than it is today.

"The rucking that we knew in those days and which I was a fan of in terms of getting quick ball was there and both teams used it when in a position to do so. I remember it being close until the end but there was also an incident of a streaker from the opposite sex coming on to the pitch and a picture with me in the background appearing in the Canterbury Press newspaper."

How sad that such revelry is not high on the Christchurch news agenda at the moment.

And according to Doocey, who was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the last Honours List, the sports community has been badly hit.

"Every competition has been suspended or abandoned.

"It's summer and the likes of cricket, tennis and bowls have been left hanging. There is damage to the playing fields and it will be some time before things get back to normal and people can play on them safely.

"It does put rivalries into perspective and it is amazing how people in times of stress band together for the common cause.

"The after-shocks are a wee bit of a handful but you get used to them after a while."

Scotland are due to play a World Cup sectional match against Argentina later this year and Mr Doocey added: "Everyone would love to see the World Cup matches take place.

"It's a fair statement to say it would help in the healing by giving people something to look forward to but a decision will be made when all the facts are in place. The way the world responded to the plight of Christchurch has been significant and humbling, assisting us in our darkest hour.

"We got a lot of possessions which had been handed down or gifted to us broken and there was structural damage to our home but nowhere near the suffering of people who have nowhere to live in our country."